Elections NWT, an independent, non-partisan agency responsible for administering territorial elections in the Northwest Territories (NWT), faced unique challenges in ensuring accessible voting for its citizens. With a significant portion of the population temporarily residing outside the territory each fall, whether for post-secondary education, healthcare, or seasonal relocation, traditional absentee ballots were often delayed due to mail service limitations. Canada Post does not guarantee delivery within the short election window, which created risks that absentee ballots would not arrive in time to be counted.

To address these barriers, Elections NWT explored innovative approaches to modernize voting options and ensure all eligible citizens had equal access to the electoral process.

The Challenge

Absentee voters including students, seasonal residents, and those temporarily outside the territory, often faced difficulties receiving and returning paper ballots before election deadlines. With only a three-week period to receive and return their ballot, reliance on postal mail created significant obstacles to participation. Elections NWT recognized the need for a secure, accessible, and efficient alternative.

The Solution

In preparation for the October 2023, general election, Elections NWT implementedCanada’s first online voting standard in collaboration with the Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI). The standard was adapted from CAN/DGSI 111-1: Online Voting – Part 1: Implementation of Online Voting in Canadian Municipal Elections, which provided a governance framework that addressed cybersecurity, transparency, and accessibility concerns.

Elections NWT adopted and adapted early drafts of the DGSI standard, tailoring requirements to its unique operating environment. These adaptations were shared back with DGSI’s technical committee, ensuring that local needs also contributed to the broader national standards development process.

The Implementation

The initiative began in June 2022 with consultations involving Canadian experts and stakeholders. Elections NWT engaged multiple vendors to configure the online voting system and ensure compatibility across components. Independent experts provided expertise to evaluate vendor security protocols, adding an additional layer of assurance.

Online voting was limited to absentee voters, who were required to complete a registration and undergo approval by Elections NWT staff. This safeguarded the integrity of the process while meeting accessibility objectives.

Outcomes and Impact

By the 2023 general election, Elections NWT successfully implemented online voting for absentee ballots, creating a secure and transparent option that broadened access to the electoral process. Key outcomes included:

• Improved accessibility for voters unable to attend polling places in person.
• Strengthened governance through adoption of a flexible standards-based approach rather than legislating technical details.
• Increased trust and security with expert-led reviews of vendor protocols.
• Knowledge sharing with DGSI’s technical committee, contributing to national standards for municipal online voting.

Feedback from voters and stakeholders was largely positive. As online voting entered its second election cycle, it became a normalized option with less controversy and growing acceptance.

Looking Ahead

Elections NWT’s experience demonstrated that standards are not static documents but must evolve alongside technology. By adopting a standards-based approach, the agency ensured its online voting system could remain secure, adaptable, and resilient in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

The success of Elections NWT’s online voting initiative has implications beyond the territory. By proving the viability of online voting grounded in rigorous standards, the case sets a precedent for other Canadian jurisdictions considering digital options to improve voter accessibility and participation.